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Aarne–Thompson–Uther index

About this index and how to read it

The ATU index classifies international folktales by type. Each row gives the type number, its title and summary, followed by the references it inherits: Arne Thompson is the earlier Aarne–Thompson type number, and Thompson lists the motif references from Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature associated with that type.

Cross-references inside a summary open the relevant tale-type or motif record. Thompson motif references in the final column are linked directly to the corresponding entry in the Stith Thompson Motif Index when that reference exists in the database. Any column heading can be clicked to sort by it, and clicking again reverses the order. Following a type number opens that type on its own page.

890 tale types

Sorted by type number, ascending

Showing 151–200 of 890 · Page 4 of 18

ATU ▲ Title Summary Arne Thompson Thompson
294 The Months and the Seasons Symbolic actions. 294 NA
295 The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean The coal burns the straw in two and falls into the water. The bean laughs till it splits. 295 F1025.1.
298 Wind and sun Sun by warmth causes traveler to remove coat, while the wind by violent blowing causes him to pull it closer around him. 298, 298C* J832., L351.
300 The Dragon-Slayer The Dragon-Slayer. Rescue of the princess. I. The Hero and his Dogs, II; The Sacrifice, III. The Dragon, IV. The Fight, V. The Tongues, VI. Impostor, VII. Recognition. , 300 B11.10.10., B11.11.11., B11.2.3.1.2.3.1., B312.2.2., D1975., D1978.2.2., H105.1.1., H151.2.2., H83., K1932., T68.1.1.
301 The Three Kidnapped Princesses I. The Hero is of supernatural origin and strength: (a) son of a bear who has stolen his mother; (b) of a dwarf or robber from whom the boy rescues himself and his mother; (c) the son of a man and a she-bear or cow; or (e) engendered by the eating of… , 301, 301A, 301B, 301D* B11.11.11., B322.1.1., B631., F102.1.1., F451.5.2.5.2., F601., F92., F96., H1385.1.1., H80., H94., K1931.2.2., K1933., L161., Q262., R111.2.1.2.1., T68.1.1.
302 The Giant Without A Heart, The youth who can turn himself into a lion, ant, etc. Sometimes the ogre's heart in the egg appears alone. Cf. Type 665. Sometimes introduced as in Type 400, or 425. I. Magic Help. The hero receives magie help (a) from grateful animals for whom he… , 302, 302B B393., B500., B571.1.1., D152.2.2., D182.2.2., D1834., E710., E711.10.10., K975.2.2., R11.1.1., T11.2.2.
303 The Twin Brothers, Two boys, horses, and dogs are born (from the eating of a magic fish, or in other magic fashion; cf. Type 705). One frees princesses from a dragon; cf. Type 300. A witch turns him into stone. The second brother sleeps with his brother's wife and… , 303, 303A, 581 B512., D1081., D231., E715.1.1., E761., K1311.1.1., N342.3.3., R111.1.3.1.3., R155.1.1., T351., T511.5.1.5.1., T589.7.1.7.1., T69.1.1.
304 The Trained Hunter The magic gun; the rescued princess; the impostor. (Often combined with Types 300, 302, 400, 554, 555, 675 or 950.) I. The Magic Gun. A youth receives a magic gun, (a) from a green clad huntsman or (b) from an old woman. II. Killing of Giants. (a)… , 304 F661.1.1., H81., H81.1.1.1.1., K912., N711.2.2.
305 Dragon Blood as Cure No examples in the Database yet 305 D1500.1.7.3.3.1.7.3.3.
306 The Twelve Dancing Princesses The princess's nightly visits to the supernatural being. A youth who follows her and wins her hand. Cf. Type 507. I. Princess as Prize. (a) A princess is offered to the man who can find why her shoes are danced to pieces each morning. II. Discovery… , 306 D1980., D2131., F1015.1.1.1.1., H508.2.2., H80., K625.1.1., L161.
307 The Princess in the Shroud Each morning the watchers are found dead. A youth overcomes the enchantment; the dead girl comes out of the shroud. He wins her hand. (Not always a princess). Sometimes combined with Type 506 (I b, V). I. The Parents' Hasty Wish. (a) Barren parents… , 307 C758.1.1., D791.1.7.1.7., E251., N825.2.2.
310 Rapunzel Rapunzel. The hair ladder for the witch. The prince is blinded. I. Promise of Child. To appease a witch whom he has offended, a man promises her his child when it is born. II. The Hair Ladder. (a) The girl is imprisoned in a windowless tower which… , 310 D642.7.7., F555., F848.1.1., G204., G279.2.2., N455., R41.2.2., S221.1.1.
311 Rescue by the Sister Rescue by the Sister, who deceives the ogre into carrying the girls in a sack (chest) back to their home. Cf. Types 312, 1132.
  • I. The Forbidden Chamber. (a) Two sisters, one after the other, fall into an ogre's power, and are taken into a subterranean castle. (b) They are forbidden entrance into one room or (b1) to see souls in torment or (b2) to eat a human bone. (c) They disobey and an egg or key becomes bloody.
  • II. Punishment. The ogre kills them for disobedience.
  • III. Rescue by youngest sister. (a) The youngest sister finds the bodies and (b) resuscitates them by putting their members together or (c) otherwise, and hides them.
  • VI. Carrying the Sacks. (a) The girls are put into sacks and the ogre is persuaded to carry the sacks home without looking into them.
  • V. Disguise as Bird (a) The youngest sister leaves a skull dressed as a bride to deceive the ogre. (b) She smears herself with honey and feathers and escapes as a strange bird.
  • VI. Punishment of the Murderer. Rescue by the Sister, who deceives the ogre into carrying the girls in a sack (chest) back to their home.
    • Cf. Types 312, 1132.    		 , 311 C611., C913., G561., K525., R11.1.1., R157.1.1.
    312 The Bluebeard The brother rescues his sisters. See analysis of Type 311 (I a, b, c; II; III a) for introduction.The youngest sister threatened with death for disobedience asks respite for prayer. Her brother with the aid of animals kills the ogre (cf. Type 300)… , 312, 312D C611., C920., F611.1.1., G551.1.1., K555., T511.3.3.
    313 The Magic Flight The Magic Flight. From the ogre's house. The fugitives throw magic objects behind them which become mountains, wood, or sea; or they change themselves into various animals or objects. , 313 D1611., D2003., D2006.1.1., D2006.1.4.1.4., D671., D672., H335.0.1.0.1.
    314 The Golden-Haired The Magic Flight. From the ogre's house. The fugitives throw magic objects behind them which become mountains, wood, or sea; or they change themselves into various animals or objects. , 314 B316., C495.1.1., C912., H56., H75.4.4., K1816.1.1., L113.1.0.1.1.0.1., T55.1.1., T91.6.4.6.4.
    315 The Treacherous Sister The children promised to the water-spirit. The maiden wife of the water-spirit (devil). At his advice she feigns sickness and sends her brother for a remedy (or the like) [K2212.0.2]. Imprisoned animals break loose and save the boy. See analysis… , 315, 315A B524.1.1.1.1., F615., G346., K2212.0.2.0.2., L161., R111.1.1., R251.
    316 The Mermaid in the Pond The youth promised to the nix is pulled into the water by her. I. Promise to the Water-Nix. A boy is unwittingly promised to a waternix. II. Grateful Animals. A youth receives from grateful animals the power of transforming himself into their… , 316 F420.1.2.1.2., F420.5.2.2.5.2.2., R152., S240.
    317 The Princess and the Sky-tree A youth climbs on a magic stretching tree into the upper world [F54]. There he rescues a princess from an ogre. Cf. Type 328A. , 317, 468 B11.11., B11.11.11., F54.1., F54.1.1.
    318 The Batamärchen Batu: the Egyptian >>Two Brothers>> Tale. Plots with paramour against life of her husband. Cf. Types 303, 315, 590, 590A. I. Rescue of a Princess from a Dragon. [R111.1.3]. II. Treacherous Wife. The hero marries the princess, but she falls in love… 318 K2111.
    321 Won Back the Eyes from the Witch A boy takes service with a blind couple. Warned not to let goats (sheep) wander beyond certain point, he does so and there defeats the witch who has stolen the blind couple's eyes. He restores the eyes. [D2161.3.1.1]. 321 D2161.3.1.1.3.1.1.
    322 Magnet mountain attracts everything No examples in the Database yet
    325 The Magician and his Apprentice, The father put to a test recognizes his son. The son as horse, ring, etc. rescues himself from the power of his master. I. Learning Magic. (a) A father gives his son to a magician to teach, (b) but must be able to recognize him in his animal form at… , 325, 325* D1711.0.1.0.1., H161., L142.2.2.
    326 The Youth Who Wanted to Learn What Fear Is Various episodes: in the church tower, under the gallows, etc. Cf. Types 1159, 1160.
  • I. Quest: To Meet Fear. A youth who does not know what fear is goes out to find it.
  • II. Experiences. He tries various frightful experiences: (a) playing cards with devil in church; (b) stealing clothes from a ghost; (c) staying at night under a gallows, (d) in a cemetery, or (e) in a haunted house where a dead man's members fall down the chimney; (f) vanquishing ghost like cats; (g) playing ninepins with a reassembled dead man; (h) being shaved by barber-ghost; (i) cutting devil's finger nails.
  • III. Learning Fear. After his wedding he learns fear when cold water is thrown on him or eels are put down his back while he is asleep.
    		•  , 326, 326A*, 326B* H1376.2.2., H1411., H1441., K335.1.10.1.10.
    327 The Children and the Ogre
  • I. Arrival at Ogre's House. (a) Children are abandoned by poor parents in a wood (b) but they find their way back by cloth shreds or pebbles that they have dropped; (c) the third time birds eat their breadcrumbs, or grain clue and (d) they wander until they come to a gingerbread house which belongs to a witch; or (e) a very small hero (thumbling) and his brothers stay at night at the ogre's house; or (f) the ogre carries the child home in a sack; (g) the child substitutes a stone in the sack twice but is finally captured.
  • II. The Ogre Deceived. The ogre smells human flesh and has the children imprisoned and fattened. (b) When his finger is to be cut to test his fatness the hero sticks out a bone or piece of wood. (c) The exchange of caps, (d) the ogre's wife or child burned in his own oven (Type 1121), or (e) the hero by singing induces the ogre to free them, or (f) the hero to be hanged feigns ignorance and has ogre show him how, or (g) hero feigns inability to sleep until ogre brings certain objects and escapes while ogre hunts the object.
  • III. Escape. (a) The children are carried across the water by ducks (or angels), or (b) they throw back magic objects which become obstacles in the ogre's path, or (c) they transform themselves, or (d) the ogre (ogress) tries to drink the pond empty and bursts, or (e) the ogre is misdirected and loses them.
    		•  , 3227C, 327, 327A, 327B, 327F, 327G , G412.1.1., G512.3.2.1.3.2.1., G512.3.2.3.2., G526., G61., G82., G82.1.1.1.1., K1611., K1832., K335.1.2.1.1.2.1., R135., R135.1.1., S321.
    328 The Treasures of the Giant Jack and the Beanstalk. The horse, the light, etc. Finally the giant is killed. Sometimes joined with Type 327. Cf also Types 531, 1525. I. Expeditions to the Giant. (a) The hero sets out to steal from a giant in order to get revenge for former… , 328, 328A, 328A* , B103.2.1.2.1., D1601.18.18., F54.2.2., G84., H1151., H1172.
    329 Miss the Magic Mirror A man hides himself three times (in the belly of the fish, etc.). (Sometimes combined with Types 301 or 313.) I. The Task. (a) A princess (devil) assigns her suitors the task of hiding themselves. (b) She has magic windows that give her magic sight.… , 329 D641., H321.
    330 The Smith Outwits the Devil I. Contract with Devil. A smith has made a contract with the devil so that in return for becoming a master-smith he is to belong to the devil after a certain time. II. Receipt of Magic Object. (a) The Lord (St. Peter) visits the smith and teaches… , 330, 330*, 330A, 330B, 330C, 330D D1413.1.3.1.3., J2071., K213., K2371.1.3.1.3., M211., N221., Q115., Q565., Z111.2.2.2.2.
    331 The Spirit in the Bottle The man frees the evil spirit from the bottle and receives in reward a wonderful remedy or the power to turn iron into silver (gold). He tricks the spirit into the bottle again. (Often combined with Types 330 or 332.) , 331 K717., R181.
    332 Godfather Death The man as doctor. Death at the feet of the sick man (the bed or the sick man turned around). I. Death as Godfather. (a) A poor man chooses death as godfather, (b) since he considers him juster than either God or the Devil. II. Death's Gifts. (a)… , 332 D1825.3.1.3.1., J486., K557.
    333 Little Red Riding Hood The wolf or other monster devours human beings until all of them are rescued alive from his belly. Cf. Types 123, 2027, 2028.<br /> I. Wolf's Feast. (a) By masking as mother or grandmother the wolf deceives and devours (b) a little girl (Red Riding Hood)… , 333, 333A F913., J21.5.5., K1044., K2011., Q426., Z18.1.1.
    334 In the Household of the Witch Visit to house of a witch (or other horrible creature). Many gruesome and marvelous happenings. Lucky escape. Cf. Type 327G. 334 G11.3.3.
    335 Death' Messengers Death promises the man to indicate his future. He gives him a blow, blindness, etc. But the man does not understand the signs and lives happily throughout. 335 J1051.
    336 Death washes his feet When death visits a house the youngest daughter is sent by her mother and her elder sisters for light to make a fire. On her way she meets a ghost. When she returns home, Death is washing his feet. The daughter asks about Death's strange looking…
    360 The Three Apprentices and the Devil They receive money in return for the devil's power over them [M211]. The host of the inn kills a man and the boys are accused. They have pledged themselves always to say the same words: »we three,» »for gold» »that was right» [C495.2.1, M175].… , 360 C495.2.2., K217.
    361 Bearskin No examples in the Database yet , 361 C721., C723.1.1., L54.1.1., M211.
    363 The Vampire The bridegroom eats corpses in three churches [E251.3.1, G20]. He appears to his bride in the form of her father, her mother, etc. [D40, D610] and when she tells about his habit he devours her. 363 G20.
    365 Specter Bridegrooms He carries her behind on his horse. Says, »The moon shines bright, the dead ride fast,» etc. She is pulled into the grave [E2l5]. 365 E215.
    366 The Golden Arm A man steals the heart, (liver, stomach, clothing) of one who has been hanged [E235.4, E236.1]. Gives it to his wife to eat. The ghost comes to claim his property and carries off the man. 366 E235.4.4.
    400 The Quest for a Lost Bride Magic objects or animals as helpers (as introduction frequently the Swan Maiden). I. The Hero. (a) A father unwittingly promises his son to a sea monster (giant, etc.). (b) The boy is adopted by a king. (c) The ogre wants to take the boy but cannot… , 400, 400*, 401, 401A , B652.1., D361.1., D361.1.1., D721.2., D758.1., H1385.3., N681.
    401 The Princess Transformed into a Deer The prince a-hunting. Disenchants princess by spending three nights in a deserted castle. Quest for departed wife, as in Type 400. Cf. Type 400 (I e, II b, c, III i, V, VI).
    402 The Animal Bride The youngest of three brothers succeeds best in the quests set by his father. He brings the best cloth, the most beautiful bride, etc. The mouse (cat) who has helped him changes herself into a beautiful maiden. , 402, 402A* D711., D735., H1210.1., H1242., H1301.1.
    403 The White and the Black Bride Strawberries under the snow, etc. The real daughter bride of the king. A child born. The stepmother throws the child into the water, etc. , 403 D1454.2., D161.2., D1860., D1870., H1023.3., K1911., M431.2., Q261., S31., S432.
    405 Jorinde and Joringel A witch turns the girl into a bird. The youth with the help of a magic object changes her back into her former shape. , 405 D683.2., D771.
    407 The Flower Girl A maiden is transformed into a flower [D212]. A man breaks a stalk of the flower and she becomes human again [D711.4]. He takes her as his wife [T101]. Cf. Type 652. , 407, 407A, 407B , D212., D711.4., T100.
    408 The Three Lemons The quest for the Orange Princess. The false bride. I. The Old Woman's Curse. A young prince insolently throws a stone and breaks an old woman's oil jar. She utters a curse: he is to fall in love with the three oranges (lemons, pomegranates,… , 408 D610., D721.5., J1791., K1911.2.2., K1911.3., S375.
    409 The Girl in the Form of a Wolf A childless woman wants a child even if it be an animal: she bears a goat-child (jackdaw). When she sends the goat-child to get water for its father, the goat lays off goat-skin and plays. A prince sees her and sends wooers to her house. The prince… , 409, 409A D113.1., D721., Q261., T554.
    410 The Sleeping Beauty The king's daughter falls into a magic sleep. A prince breaks through the hedge surrounding the castle and disenchants the maiden. I. The Wished-for Child. A frog announces the birth of the much desired daughter of the king. II. The Fairies' Gifts.… , 410 B211.7.1., D1364.17., D1967.1., D1978.5., F361.1.1., G269.4., M341.2.13., M370., N711.2.
    411 The King and the Lamia
  • I. The Snake-Wife. A king sees, falls in love with, and marries a lovely girl who is actually a snake-woman [B29.1].
  • II. Overcoming her Power. (a) His health deteriorates. (b) A fakir tells him to feed her salty food and to stay at night and watch her. (c) She assumes her snake form and goes for water.
  • III. The Ashes. (a) An oven is heated red-hot and she is pushed in. (b) Among the ashes is found a pebble capable of turning anything it touches into gold [D1469.10.1].
    		•
    413 Marriage by Stealing Clothing A youth comes upon a holy man (old woman) in the forest [N825]. He is told not to go in a certain direction but does so [Z211] and sees three lovely maidens bathing. The holy man agrees to help him, turns him into a bird, tells him to steal the… , 413 C311., E121.5., K1335., Z211.

    Showing 151–200 of 890 · Page 4 of 18





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